Jobless rate declines in WNC counties

November statistics show improvement over October

Published: Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 12:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 12:47 p.m.

Unemployment rates decreased in Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties in November, according to statistics released Tuesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Polk and Henderson ranked among the five counties with the lowest jobless rates for the month.

The Asheville metropolitan area, which includes Hendersonville, retained its status as the metro area with the lowest unemployment rates in North Carolina.

The November jobless rate in Henderson County was 5.1 percent, a decline of .4 points from October. The monthly unemployment rate in Polk County was 4.9 percent, a .3 decline from October. Transylvania’s jobless rate was 6.8 percent, also a .3 decrease from October.

The statewide unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, for November was 6.9 percent. Joblessness decreased in 91 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in November, the Department of Commerce reported. All 14 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases.

Chatham County had the state’s lowest jobless rate for November at 4.7 percent. Orange, Currituck, Polk, Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Wake and Gates counties rounded out the top 10 counties with the least unemployment.

Transylvania County ranked 28th in the state. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.5 percent.

When compared to November 2012, unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties, according to the report.

<p>Unemployment rates decreased in Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties in November, according to statistics released Tuesday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. </p><p>Polk and Henderson ranked among the five counties with the lowest jobless rates for the month.</p><p>The Asheville metropolitan area, which includes Hendersonville, retained its status as the metro area with the lowest unemployment rates in North Carolina.</p><p>The November jobless rate in Henderson County was 5.1 percent, a decline of .4 points from October. The monthly unemployment rate in Polk County was 4.9 percent, a .3 decline from October. Transylvania's jobless rate was 6.8 percent, also a .3 decrease from October.</p><p>The statewide unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, for November was 6.9 percent. Joblessness decreased in 91 of North Carolina's 100 counties in November, the Department of Commerce reported. All 14 of the state's metro areas experienced rate decreases.</p><p>Chatham County had the state's lowest jobless rate for November at 4.7 percent. Orange, Currituck, Polk, Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Wake and Gates counties rounded out the top 10 counties with the least unemployment.</p><p>Transylvania County ranked 28th in the state. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.5 percent.</p><p>When compared to November 2012, unemployment rates decreased in all 100 counties, according to the report.</p>